By Chris Oddo | Saturday September 3, 2017
Vintage Roger Federer has returned to the U.S. Open. After two rounds of shaky five-setters and wild momentum swings that left pundits questioning the state of the 19-time major champion’s game, the Swiss answered all questions with a stately, economical 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 takedown of southpaw Feliciano Lopez on Saturday evening to book his spot in the round of 16.
Federer rained down 32 winners against just 16 unforced errors and saved five of six break points to improve to 13-0 lifetime against the 35-year-old Spaniard.
The No.3 seed was able to win 62 percent of points against Lopez’s second serve and he converted seven of 12 break points against Lopez.
"I was happy I had good energy because I think that was my biggest worry, that somehow after the two five-setters that I had, I was going to feel a little slow, hard to throw the engine on, you know, that I would have to force myself so much, I would get tired from that," he said, adding: "It didn't happen."
With the roof closed over Arthur Ashe Stadium due to rain, and despite a delayed start due to the Day 6 day session running two hours long, Federer displayed a level of fitness and serving prowess that he hadn’t been able to show in his five-set victories over Frances Tiafoe and Mikhail Youzhny in rounds one and two.
Getting to the finish line in one hour and 46 minutes puts Federer in good shape for his round of 16 match against another longtime whipping boy.
"He's a good player," Federer said. "Got great rotation on the ball. Plays with a lot of topspin. Has a nice one-handed backhand, which I love to see, of course. He seems in good shape. He's in good physical condition always. Prides himself on working hard. It's different playing him in a first round than in a fourth round. I'm sure he has also gained confidence. He won his matches in a nice way. So we'll see what happens."
Federer has a combined record of 41-0 against his second, third and fourth round opponents. He has defeated his round of 16 opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber 11 times, and he shut the German down in straight sets at the 2015 U.S. Open.
Federer improves to 81-11 lifetime at the U.S. Open and 324-51 at the majors overall.